2023 Bowl Season’s Pop-Tarts & Food Bowl Games Are Underway

The college football bowl season of 2023 marked the continuation of unique post-game celebrations involving food items, such as a special Pop-Tarts Bowl. Despite recent changes in college football, such as the introduction of the transfer portal and conference realignment, these peculiar traditions have persisted.

The Pop-Tarts Bowl introduced a new tradition: The winning team was presented with an edible mascot. This event, replacing the Cheez-It Bowl with its infamous Cheez-It shower, added another chapter to the evolving tradition of post-game food celebrations.

Here are two more of the most notable food-related celebrations from the 2023 bowl season.

Duke’s Mayo Bowl: West Virginia Mountaineers Defeat North Carolina Tar Heels, 30-10

At the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, West Virginia triumphed over North Carolina with a score of 30-10. In keeping with the traditions of the bowl, Mountaineers’ coach Neal Brown was doused in a bath of Duke’s mayonnaise following the victory. Brown described the experience as feeling cold and wet but victorious.

The task of pouring the mayonnaise on the winning coach was given to Derek and Levi, participants in the mayo combine event, which involved various activities centered on the use of mayonnaise. Fans also partook in mayonnaise-related festivities.

DIRECTV Holiday Bowl: USC Trojans Beat No. 15 Louisville Cardinals, 42-28

During the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl, the USC Trojans bested the No. 15 Louisville Cardinals with a score of 42-28. A new tradition was introduced for this bowl, featuring the winning coach, in this case Lincoln Riley, receiving a bath of eggnog.

The Trojans’ victory was propelled by the outstanding performance of Miller Moss, who threw for 371 yards and made six touchdowns, setting a new USC bowl game record.

These food-themed celebrations contribute to the unique charm of the bowl season, a fixed point in the calendar where sports and food intersect in an unusual but memorable fashion.